Description

Phil Ochs was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, political activism, often alliterative lyrics, and distinctive voice. At the time of this recording Phil was immensely depressed about everything from the endless Vietnam war to civil strife at home and for being involved and witnessing the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. You can hear his anger in the rockier tracks like “Another Age,” “Pretty Smart On My Part,” and especially “I Kill Therefore I Am”. His sadness and desolation in piano-laden songs such as “The Doll House” and the title track, and his trademark humanity in “William Butler Yeats…” and “The Scorpion Departs But Never Returns.” ‘Rehearsals For Retirement,’ his sixth studio album, is a masterpiece and the most depressing and sad album Phil ever recorded.